2013 Buick Encore - 2012 Detroit Auto Show

Buick's Little Cute Ute.

If you're scratching your head over this new small SUV from Buick, you're not alone. Many of us at the show did exactly that when the cover was pulled off the diminutive SUV. This wasn't exactly what we expected from Buick. Our first thought was that it may be a revival of the Saturn Vue platform, but that is not the case. This is a smaller platform, one that is built in Bupyeong, South Korea. The chassis specifications are similar to, but not exactly those of the Chevrolet Sonic 5-door. The Sonic, being built in Michigan's Orion Township, has historic ties to the past Aveo built in Bupyeong.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

2013 Buick Encore

The small upright SUV is of steel unit body construction. It is front-wheel drive with available all-wheel drive and comes standard with a 6-speed HydraMatic transmission mated to a turbocharged 1.4-liter four that produces around 140 bhp and 148 lb.-ft. of torque. With a curb weight of around 3200 lb., the Encore should have similar performance to a Mini Countryman's.

2013 Buick Encore

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Its intent is that of every other new Buick: To change our perception of Buick from being that of grandfather's favorite old La-Z-Boy recliner to something more Herman Miller—still comfortable, but far more aesthetically pleasing and youthful. This Encore started with Buick selecting one 18-in. wheel and tire size. This allowed the chassis to be tuned for exactly that combination, rather than a compromise of available options. Buick listed the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 as competitors. It's probably a fair guess that these are the cars Buick benchmarked as performance targets as well. If true, the Encore will be another Buick to help with that change in perception.

2013 Buick Encore

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

To assure that the Encore's five occupants are comfortable, great attention was paid to making it quiet. This will be the first Buick to use active noise cancellation, but that's on top of the extensive use of sound absorbent materials, headliner, fender liners, laminated windshield, quiet-tuned tires and alternator. Clearly, it's important for this little guy to be quiet.

2013 Buick Encore

Being a Buick also means being a reasonably priced luxury vehicle, so when it goes on sale in early 2013, look for Encore pricing to be around $25,000. When equipped with back-up camera, navigation, chrome wheels and all-wheel drive, it should hit $30,000.